I'm a DJ

Yep I'm a "weekend DJ" on Kiss. I had my first live shifts yesterday and today.

Amy Dalbon called me and said I sounded awesome, thanks amy love you ! and Linz too!

It was a little scary (it would have been bad to slip up and say "titan radio" hahaha!) but I think I sounded pretty good. I brought up "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" at one point to see if people liked it, and man did the phones ring off the hook! Too bad our machine isn't working right so I couldn't really try to get any on the air. Maybe next time...

So that was my bright spot, to make up for the fact that our machines have been messed up and Club Kiss made my life hell (friday, saturday and sunday nights, blah!)

'til next time....

kqv

wahoo i navigated my way thru the heart of pgh and didn't even come close to getting lost! I faced the evils of a parking garage and crossing a busy street, finding a station in a huge building, and passing an "interview" that wasnt really an interview! What a day! and all before noon!

As you can possibly tell, I had my meeting with Frank at KQV yesterday. It was interesting, and sort of a test, which was interesting considering I'm a little out of practice. We talked awhile, then he gave me some press releases and articles to write up a few readers. Then he had me "produce" the newscast and record it. On a TAPE! Can you believe they still use tapes and carts? Wow. He said they have cool edit but they are very slowly taking baby steps toward becoming digital. That was crazy.

Basically he told me I'm a little young and I need to know more about "business" and "politics" and such. Eh, that's okay. He's keeping my stuff on file, said they haven't hired anyone new in about 3 years (they have a low turnover rate, that's good). They do long format newscasts, like half an hour at a time, which I'm not sure I could get into anyway. But they do have "writers" and "editors" which would be a great place to start in the news world.

It's summer!

Right now I'm just tired! I had to visit home to empty out my room and store it at my grandmas so my sister has a room (that's what happens when 7 people live in a house thats not quite big enough!)

Anyway, as for things at 96.1 KISS right now.... I started my "DJ" role, with some wonderful 2-6 am voicetracked shifts. Mainly I board op. I will be board opping the Destiny's Child concert on July 20! I have also spent some time as a morning traffic producer, and also with the Kiss Morning News blurb.

My hours for the next month are not too shabby, so that helps, but I'm still looking for a second job.

I got a phone call today from Frank Gottlieb, news director at KQV, whom Marshall from WBT referred me too, saying that he didn't have any openings right now but that he would like to meet with me anyway. So I have to set that up, and learn how to get to that part of Pittsburgh...

Working at Kiss has been interesting, to learn new things and all, but sometimes its a real pain in the butt when they schedule me to do things that I haven't done before/don't know what I'm supposed to do! Hopefully people aren't getting annoyed with my incessant questions....

I guess that's about all that's new with me right now!

Lookin up!

Things are looking up for everyone it seems!

*****Shout out time!****
Congrats to Pat, he now works for NBC! Go to his blog!
Yay for Megan, who loves her job and is doing great!
Hoorah for Tand, gettin ready for *more* school, grad school this time!
Good luck to Sarah, sending out those resumes! I'm sure you'll hear back when you least expect it!

(sadly, I hear nothing of Ian, Ashley, or Julie. Amy is still good though! and last I heard Sebas had a promising prospect but I don't know how that turned out)

.....ok. On to our regularly scheduled update.

I ran the board again for Klub Kiss last night and barely messed up, so thats peachy. I'm running the board right now, too, haha. I'm definately getting better here, so thats cool.
And the schedule changed again, guess what! I have my random 2-6 am on Sunday mornings, voicetracked. But I now go LIVE from 6 to 10 pm on July 30 AND July 31! You better tune in! 96 1 KISS!


Let's see. What else? Oh yes, Marshall Adams from WBT sent a glowing reccomendation to the news director at KQV Radio in Pittsburgh. He, however, is not hiring right now, but wants me to send my resume for him to hold on to just in case. So there are always other prospects out there!

I definately gotta work on finding that second job...

It's a start

Well, since Megan didn't take me up on my offer (sorry Pat!).... I took the job at WKST, Kiss 96.1

I think it will be fun. Mark Anderson is the guy who hired me, he says I'll probly train for about two weeks. Then I'll be doing some behind the scenes stuff, board opping and all. THEN once I master the program, I'll voicetrack some shifts that Mark will look over and critique, and eventually I'll be on air! It'll probly be like, weekends at 2 am, but it's a start! Oh yeah, plus, I'm like one of two girls at the station, so it could be good times. LOL.

Now, for some irony.

1) Mark says we're really lucky to have RCS Selector/Master Control over at WC. Yay for being advanced (more than most commercial stations)!

2) I've been talking to Craig Rechichar a lot lately (WC Grad in 04), who has been working at Fox Sports Radio whatever that is, 960 am or something, doing some producing. Anyway, you can now hear him on Kiss FM weekends, his air name is "Wretch" lol. We might end up training together!


3) Mark asked what it is about us westminster kids - said it seems like every year he hears from someone, for internships, jobs, or whatever. He thought there were a ton of BCers. I said no, maybe about 8 per graduating class on average. He's like oh, so you're just good at networking and stuff? I said yeah, we like to think so ! haha.

Anyway, I don't know how I'm going to manage or anything, but you know me, I make things work. Anyone looking for a roomate in the Pittsburgh area? .....contact me......

It's Official

I' m a college graduate, and a Westminster College alum.

Bachelor of Arts in Communications, Magna cum Laude.

still working on the job search...and moving back home = no fun at all. Also, my room at home is tiny so almost all my stuff is going into storage anyway. Can't wait to get a job and a place of my own!

I'M NOT INVISIBLE!

Oh man what a day. My last presentation ever....and TWO possible job responses!

In the mail today I got a "applicant profile data form" which seems to imply a possible interview in the future, for a job at Kiss FM in Cleveland...

And then! This e-mail! :

Ms. Krutschnitt,

Thank you for your interest in employment with WGTY.

Our position is part-time for weekend hours and some evening.

There is no set number of hours available. You may work 20 hours one week and then 0 hours the next.

Please advise your interest level.

Thank you!

Tammy Signor

Human Resources Coordinator

WGET/WGTY

I still have to reply...I will certainly show some interest, but that's not a lot of promise ($$ or hours) to move pretty far away for....

But still...I'M NOT Invisible! I was beginning to wonder....

One More Chorus...

Also, in honor of the BC Kids, we now have a new theme song that I will remember us by forever.

"She says we’ve got to hold on to what we’ve got
’cause it doesn’t make a difference
If we make it or not
We’ve got each other and that’s a lot
For love - we’ll give it a shot

Whooah, we’re half way there
whoa oh Livin’ on a prayer
Take my hand and we’ll make it - I swear
Livin’ on a prayer"

Observation

I really hate to push my previous post down because its so wonderful, but...

Reading everyones comments to each other and really thinking about our "Broadcast Family," it just amuses me to know that on the first day of capstone, I had reservations. Did Pat really like talking with me, or did he secretly feel I was just annoying? Were he and Julie going to chill together and be put off by the rest of us? Would Sebastian show up? (lol) Megan - she'd be with Pat too, right? and Amy? And Tandi, well, that I didn't know. Sarah and Ashley I didn't know very well.... As for Ian, I wasn't worried about that kid, I knew we were cool after a thousand Deisler classes together.

Ironically, there were never any issues between us, and Capstone has changed just about all of the above. And, Weaver even got to add a few things to the list of "things he's never allowed to say again" as edited by US. LOL. Honestly though, I don't think we can say it enough, but it's great that we've grown so close and I can't wait til we're all working hard in the business! We definately need to keep in touch so one day I, as the president of capstone, can institute a reunion BC Bash. Bon Jovi will be on the jukebox, so to speak. ^_^ (all WC BCers will be invited, of course. even you silly underclassman and those crazy kids we kicked out before us)

It's Over?

Last night was the final TCL...I was bummed that the sound was screwy so the senior tribute was, well, a silent one. But nevertheless, we Hardcore Broadcasters headed to Grove City to PAaaarty! after the show. It was a ton of fun, but bittersweet, as they say, because it means its ending. And this time, it's not just ending until next semester. I mean, this is it.

BC Kids, I posted the pics on the R: drive, and I'm still willing to burn cd's for anyone who gets me a blank one. (DePaul, I need a copy of the group pic from you!)

Also, in honor of the BC Kids, we now have a new theme song that I will remember us by forever.

"She says we’ve got to hold on to what we’ve got
’cause it doesn’t make a difference
If we make it or not
We’ve got each other and that’s a lot
For love - we’ll give it a shot

Whooah, we’re half way there
whoa oh Livin’ on a prayer
Take my hand and we’ll make it - I swear
Livin’ on a prayer"

Capstone Festival Preperations

It's almost time...dun dun dun...final Capstone presentations!

I'm kind of excited about Monday, although I have a lot of other class stuff going on too. I feel bad missing Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band rehearsals since we only have 2 more practices before our concert (Friday the 29th at 7:30 in Orr!), but that's the way the cookie crumbles I guess!

I can't wait to see my classmates presentations, and I still barely have a clue what I want to say in mine. It's so hard to express this 4-year experience in one small presentation! I've put together some sort of presentation, though I keep changing it every time I open it to go over it. I want to get into the production room tomorrow to edit something to play, and I really wish I could find the tape with my Volant videoessay on it, but sadly its been missing for over a year.

So, that's about it I think. The remote and the banner and everything will be fun, and I'm just ready to hang out and enjoy the day without worrying about any details of it or problems or job worries or the fact that there is only a week of classes left.

WTAM Recap

Well, it's been a long day.. Beautiful, sunny, 80-degree car washing weather in Ohio...only to drive into rain when I hit Sharon. Now there's thunder. Geez. Good thing I love storms.

I met with Darren Toms, assistant news director, at WTAM this morning. It felt like an interview, which I wasn't expecting, so that was a little painful. However, he said I wouldn't be there if I hadn't made a good impression during my internship, and I mentioned how interning at WTAM was a positive experience, so all in all things went well. We talked about what I've done since last summer and what my career "goals" are (I hate when people ask me that! I don't know!)

Basically, Darren mentioned that he might have some part time work for me if I don't get a job. It would be overnights, filling in for people on vacation, etc. but it was a really nice offer and something to keep on the back burner, as Pat would say.

Darren commended me for keeping in touch, and said that even if I do get a job I should continue to keep in touch because they like to hire former interns and you never know when something might open up or I might be ready to move on from a job.

For now, he recommended that I send cover letters and resumes to all the small market stations in the area where I want to work, and if someone happens to *not* toss it, I could always send a resume tape when requested. I was wary of doing that because I heard that most places without openings just toss them, but he said I should do it anyway, because someone might not! So I think I will work on that this week.

Dear World:

Pat, Laura, Sebas, Sarah, Ian, and Tandi need jobs.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

The abovementioned excellent broadcasters / poor college soon-to-be-graduates

Oh Man, It's April.

19 days of class left.

I have an appointment at WTAM on April 19 with Darren Toms, the Asst. News Director, because RC's schedule is "too hectic." Still, it should be worthwhile. I'll let you, my avid readers, know how it goes.



Yesterday a bunch of us went to a "job fair" aka panel session. It was pretty interesting to hear everyones stories about how they got to where they are, but the Q&A session didn't really add anything.

On a more positive note, We did get the keynote speaker, Rick Sebak from WQED, to agree to come on The County Line at the end of the semester! He was great.

Here is a meet 'n greet pic with Harish Saluja of New Ray Films:

Into the Final Stretch...

I cannot tell you how excited I am about this weekend! I'm going with a couple of my girls on the SGA sponsored trip to NYC!!! Now, it's not for any special interview like Liz Farry or Mister Pat Sandora, but we do get an NBC Studios Tour. I've got tons of plans, and I can't wait!

BC This Week: It's almost time for the Capstone Broadcast Festival (April 25!) , so I have been thinking about what I want to put together for my presentation. Unlike Miss Megan, I haven't a clue how I want to organize it yet, and she already has hers done! Geesh! Maybe I should get her to do mine too...hehe.

I had a really great DJ shift on Tuesday, some resume material. Radio news would have been totally awesome if Mangino (Lawrence County D.A.) would have called back, but he never did, grr. I really need an awesome newscast to update my resume! Morning show tomorrow should be fun.


Career Planning: I need to apply to some more places, I haven't really turned up much lately. I haven't heard back from anything I applied to yet either, which is kinda sad. I'm getting a little worried, it would be nice to have a job lined up! Or at least potentials. I sent an email to RC at WTAM to see what date would be best to meet with him, I'll just miss a day of classes to drive home and meet with him. Hey, it could help land me a job!

Also, I really want to go to this job fair next Wednesday, but I feel bad missing class. I think I will go anyway. Anyone else planning on going?

In the 'biz: This week I found an article abut American Idol adding an Instant Messaging service to target their viewers. It's called The American Idol Experience Messenger. Oy vae.

And Then It Was Spring.

Yay Spring! Although I enjoy fall temperatures much more, and April is usually dreary, gray, and rainy, especially at "Wet-minster", spring is warmer than winter, so YAY! This just wasn't a nice winter. It was either too cold or too icy to go sled riding any time I was free, so I just wanted winter to be over. And I haven't worn a coat in over a week!

Enough of that. I left a message for RC at WTAM, hopefully we touch base and I can head in there to talk over my newscasts and such.

Other than that, the job search/paper writing/relaxing breaktime is being put on hold, because my mom decided we're making the trek to Bethlehem, PA to visit my aunt and gramma for Easter, since we haven't seen them in a few years.

I also need to remember to submit my "senior speech" effort! *note to self* Like it or not - Graduation, here we come.

Happy St. Patricks Day!

or, The Week I was Packed For Spring Break.

That's right girls and boys. I've been mentally packed for Spring Break since about Sunday, and now I'm just about completely physically packed as well. But I always have this nagging feeling that I'm forgetting something....

This Week In BC: Radio news was decent as always, we got some good sound. My DJ shifts went well, and Brian and Laura in the Morning had an All-Irish St. Patricks Day and it rocked! We had a lot of fun and I think I got some more good material for my resume tapes.

Career Stuffs: Speaking of resume tapes, RC from WTAM wants me to stop by sometime with newer material to go over my newscasts. He says I have potential! W00+! So I emailed him back that I am doing basically nothing over spring break, so maybe I can stop by and play some raw 'casts off my aircheck tape. Unfortunately I don't have any decent wraps or lives so far this semester. Anyone got any ideas for me? LOL.

In the 'Biz: This article talks about how Viacom might split into two businesses. CBS and Infinity Radio would be one company, while the MTV Networks would be the other. Viacom already split from Blockbuster, last fall. Interesting...

Laura's take on tapes.

Resume tapes, that is.

My approach? Simple. It starts with airchecks. Aircheck all of your on-air material.

To create radio resume tapes: I start by going through my aircheck material. Everything I like, I save onto a minidisc. Then I can go through the minidisc, which takes less time than the aircheck tapes, and pick out my best breaks. I like to keep updating my tape with new material as well. Tandi pointed out that it shows Program Director's that you keep up with current events and it is a push in the right direction! Then, using SAW, I put my material together and burn it to CD.

Basically the same goes for radio news. My November resume tape has a live, a wrap, and a newscast that are all related, which was nice. However, it's time to update, and I'm really not sure what I'm going to put on it.

I haven't really put any tapes together for TV, since I'm not sure I'm interested in that area, but I do have VHS's with old County Lines and packages and video essays that I have done for the department, in case I ever need to show examples of my work.

The next step, of course, is to start sending out applications. So... off to continue the job search!

I'm a senior?

Well it's official - the job search is on. I haven't been sleeping much at night, so I've been too tired to do anything productive in the daytime - but that all changes today! Ok Well, at least I'm working on it. The being productive part.

This Week In BC: Radio shift on Tuesday was fun, pretty good too. News went well, and I even caused commotion in the show notes folder so that was amusing. Morning show this morning with Brian went pretty well, and I was so exhausted and busy I even voicetracked my shift - but its okay because that means I learned how to voicetrack! I didn't make it to TCL tonight, but I'm looking forward to our capstone meeting tomorrow. (Since I'm the president and all.)

Career planning: Well, I found about 10 jobs so far that are worth trying for and could be fun. So today I spent an hour and a half printing up my new resumes and starting some cover letters. I'm really glad I bought the book to help with some samples, and I'm lending it to Megan soon so she can give it a try. I've been going through my aircheck tape to get new material for my resume tape, and I found some pretty good stuff. Tomorrow I'm gonna work on putting it all together. Then I can start sending out the material and keep my fingers crossed! Also, note to self: do not use MD 1 in the production room because it tried to eat my minidisc. Tear.

The 'biz: There's a post on Lost Remote that says basically...if news stations don't update their websites during the day, why would they expect people to tune to them for news at night? It shows how the Internet is becoming an integral part of our lives.

Morning Show Goodness

This is me, workin the radio.





This is me with my co-host Brian. He's probly losing a bet. He does that a lot. Plus he's jealous because I win our karaoke contests.